JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies最新文献

{"title":"Multiparametric MRI Assessment of Morpho-Functional Muscle Changes Following a 6-Month FES-Cycling Training Program: Pilot Study in People With a Complete Spinal Cord Injury.","authors":"Alfonso Mastropietro, Denis Peruzzo, Maria Giovanna Taccogna, Nicole Sanna, Nicola Casali, Roberta Nossa, Emilia Biffi, Emilia Ambrosini, Alessandra Pedrocchi, Giovanna Rizzo","doi":"10.2196/64825","DOIUrl":"10.2196/64825","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) cause debilitating secondary conditions such as severe muscle deterioration, cardiovascular, and metabolic dysfunctions, significantly impacting patients' quality of life. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) combined with cycling exercise (FES-cycling) has shown promise in improving muscle function and health in individuals with SCI.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This pilot study aimed to investigate the potential role of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess muscle health during and after an FES-cycling rehabilitation program.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Four male participants with chronic SCI underwent a 6-month FES-cycling training program, consisting of two 30-minute sessions per week. MRI scans were performed at baseline (T0), after 3 months (T1), at the end of the training (T2), and 1-month posttraining (T3). The MRI protocol included T1-weighted imaging for volume quantification, Dixon imaging for fat fraction, multi-echo spin echo for T2 relaxation times, and diffusion tensor imaging to assess diffusion parameters.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Muscle hypertrophy was observed, with an average increase in muscle volume of 22.3% at T1 and 36.7% at T2 compared with baseline. One month posttraining, muscle volume remained 23.2% higher than baseline. Fat fraction decreased from 11.1% at T0 to 9.1% at T2, with a rebound to 10.9% at T3. T2 relaxation times showed a reduction even though this was not consistent among participants. Diffusion tensor imaging parameters revealed subtle changes in muscle tissue microstructure, with a decrease in fractional anisotropy mainly associated to an increase of radial diffusivity.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Although preliminary, this study provides evidence that 6 months of low-intensity FES-bike training can increase muscle volume and decrease fat infiltration in individuals with SCI. The study demonstrates that the use of a multiparametric MRI provides comprehensive insights into both macroscopic and microscopic changes within muscle tissues, supporting its integration into clinical practice for assessing the efficacy of rehabilitation interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":36224,"journal":{"name":"JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies","volume":"12 ","pages":"e64825"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11756844/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143013305","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"User Acceptance of a Home Robotic Assistant for Individuals With Physical Disabilities: Explorative Qualitative Study.","authors":"Linda Sørensen, Dag Tomas Sagen Johannesen, Helinä Melkas, Hege Mari Johnsen","doi":"10.2196/63641","DOIUrl":"10.2196/63641","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Health care is shifting toward 5 proactive approaches: personalized, participatory, preventive, predictive, and precision-focused services (P5 medicine). This patient-centered care leverages technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI)-powered robots, which can personalize and enhance services for users with disabilities. These advancements are crucial given the World Health Organization's projection of a global shortage of up to 10 million health care workers by 2030.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to investigate the acceptance of a humanoid assistive robot among users with physical disabilities during (1) AI-powered (using a Wizard of Oz methodology) robotic performance of predefined personalized assistance tasks and (2) operator-controlled robotic performance (simulated distant service).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An explorative qualitative design was used, involving user testing in a simulated home environment and individual interviews. Directed content analysis was based on the Almere model and the model of domestic social robot acceptance.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Nine participants with physical disabilities aged 27 to 78 years engaged in robot interactions. They shared their perceptions across 7 acceptance concepts: hedonic attitudes, utilitarian attitudes, personal norms, social norms, control beliefs, facilitating conditions, and intention to use. Participants valued the robot's usefulness for practical services but not for personal care. They preferred automation but accepted remote control of the robot for some tasks. Privacy concerns were mixed.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study highlights the complex interplay of functional expectations, technological readiness, and personal and societal norms affecting the acceptance of physically assistive robots. Participants were generally positive about robotic assistance as it increases independence and lessens the need for human caregivers, although they acknowledged some current shortcomings. They were open to trying more home testing if future robots could perform most tasks autonomously. AI-powered robots offer new possibilities for creating more adaptable and personalized assistive technologies, potentially enhancing their effectiveness and viability for individuals with disabilities.</p>","PeriodicalId":36224,"journal":{"name":"JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies","volume":"12 ","pages":"e63641"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11758889/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142980233","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The MyGuide Web-Based Self-Management Tool for Concussion Rehabilitation: Mixed Methods Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Alyssa Turcott, Ruthine Kang, Christopher Yao, Colleen O'Melinn, Patricia Mahoney, Susan Barlow, Julia Schmidt","doi":"10.2196/59181","DOIUrl":"10.2196/59181","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Web-based concussion self-management education programs for adolescents can improve functional outcomes, reduce concussion symptoms, and increase self-efficacy. However, there are a limited number of studies examining the perceptions and acceptance of these programs and the use of these tools in the adult concussion population.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to investigate the perceptions and acceptance of clinicians and adults with concussions using MyGuide Concussion (Vancouver Coastal Health), a web-based concussion self-management tool.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using a mixed methods sequential explanatory design, a convenience sample of 8 adults with concussions and 8 clinicians who used MyGuide Concussion over a 2-year period were interviewed, and their responses were analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants reported two key benefits of using the web-based self-management tool: (1) the tool's emphasis on the interconnectedness of physical and psychological symptoms, and (2) the ability to provide reassurance that symptom being experienced were a normal part of the concussion experience. Clinicians described the tool as being useful as a supplementary source of information for clients in addition to clinical sessions and believed the content was useful for increasing clients' independence in managing their own recovery.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Overall, the evaluation of the MyGuide tool is an acceptable and well-perceived tool for adults with concussions who require a basic understanding of concussion recovery, particularly in the early stages of recovery. Future research may include optimizing MyGuide by targeting promotional strategies and addressing other barriers to use.</p>","PeriodicalId":36224,"journal":{"name":"JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies","volume":"12 ","pages":"e59181"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11751642/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142956194","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Professionals' Perspectives of Smart Stationary Bikes in Rehabilitation: Qualitative Study.","authors":"Julie Soulard, Dahlia Kairy, Roua Walha, Cyril Duclos, Sylvie Nadeau, Claudine Auger","doi":"10.2196/64121","DOIUrl":"10.2196/64121","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Stationary bikes are used in numerous rehabilitation settings, with most offering limited functionalities and types of training. Smart technologies, such as artificial intelligence and robotics, bring new possibilities to achieve rehabilitation goals. However, it is important that these technologies meet the needs of users in order to improve their adoption in current practice.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to collect professionals' perspectives on the use of smart stationary bikes in rehabilitation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twelve health professionals (age: mean 43.4, SD 10.1 years) completed an online questionnaire and participated in a semistructured interview regarding their needs and expectations before and after a 30-minute session with a smart bike prototype.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A content analysis was performed with inductive coding. Seven main themes emerged: (1) bike functionalities (cycling assistance, asymmetric resistance, and forward and backward cycling), (2) interface between bike and users (simple, user-friendly, personalized, with written reminders during training), (3) feedback to users (user and performance data), (4) training programs (preprogrammed and personalized, and algorithmic programs), (5) user engagement (telerehabilitation, group sessions, music, and automatic suggestion of training), (6) the bike as a physical device (dimensions, comfort, setup, screen, etc), and (7) business model (various pricing strategies, training for professionals, and after-sales service).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study provides an interpretive understanding of professionals' perspectives regarding smart stationary bikes and is the first to identify the expectations of health professionals regarding the development of future bikes in rehabilitation.</p>","PeriodicalId":36224,"journal":{"name":"JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies","volume":"11 ","pages":"e64121"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11705751/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142907630","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Making Video Games More Inclusive for People Living With Motor Neuron Disease: Scoping Review.","authors":"Ben O'Mara, Matthew Harrison, Kirsten Harley, Natasha Dwyer","doi":"10.2196/58828","DOIUrl":"10.2196/58828","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Evidence suggests that individuals with motor neuron disease (MND), a terminal illness, find enjoyment and social connection through video games. However, MND-related barriers can make gaming challenging, exacerbating feelings of boredom, stress, isolation, and loss of control over daily life.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objective: &lt;/strong&gt;We scoped the evidence to describe relevant research and practice regarding what may help reduce difficulties for people with MND when playing video games.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;A scoping review was conducted using the Arksey and O'Malley framework, recent scoping review guidance, and engaging with people with lived experience of MND. Peer-reviewed studies were sourced from PubMed and the Swinburne University of Technology Library. Gray literature was identified from government, not-for-profit, commercial, and community websites. Data were extracted and summarized from the collected literature.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;The evidence base, consisting of quantitative and qualitative research, lived experience stories, information resources, reviews, and guidelines, included 85 documents. Only 8 (9%) directly addressed video games and people with MND; however, these studies were limited in depth and quality. The primary technologies examined included customized information and communications technology for communication and control of computing systems (including desktop, laptop, smartphone, tablet, and console systems) and video game software and hardware (including hand controllers and accessibility features, such as difficulty level, speed, and remappable buttons and controls). Common factors in the evidence base highlight barriers and enablers to enjoying video games for people with MND. These include technological, physical, social, and economic challenges. Addressing these requires greater involvement of people with MND in game and technology research and development. Changes to information and communications technology, game software and hardware, policies, and guidelines are needed to better meet their needs.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/strong&gt;There is a significant gap in understanding the lived experience of people with MND with video games and what makes playing them easier, including appropriate customization of technology and the social experience of games. This gap perpetuates exclusion from gaming communities and recreation, potentially worsening social isolation. Existing evidence suggesting viable options for future research and practice. Video game and information and communications technology research and development must prioritize qualitative and quantitative research with people with MND at an appropriate scale, with a focus on lived experience, use of improved participant engagement techniques, and user-focused design for more inclusive games. Practical work needs to increase awareness of what can help make games more inclusive, including incorporation of ","PeriodicalId":36224,"journal":{"name":"JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies","volume":"11 ","pages":"e58828"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11704651/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142878138","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Effect of the Mediterranean Diet-Integrated Gamified Home-Based Cognitive-Nutritional (GAHOCON) Training Programme for Older People With Cognitive Frailty: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Rick Yiu Cho Kwan, Queenie Pui Sze Law, Jenny Tsun Yee Tsang, Siu Hin Lam, Kam To Wang, Olive Shuk Kan Sin, Daphne Sze Ki Cheung","doi":"10.2196/60155","DOIUrl":"10.2196/60155","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Cognitive frailty is known to be associated with both nutrition and cognitive training. However, effective treatments that engage older adults with cognitive frailty in both the Mediterranean diet and cognitive training are lacking.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objective: &lt;/strong&gt;This study aims to examine the feasibility and preliminary effects of Gamified Home-Based Cognitive-Nutritional (GAHOCON) on older adults with cognitive frailty, focusing on Mediterranean diet knowledge, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, cognitive function, physical frailty, grip strength, walking speed, memory, and body composition.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;This study applied a 2-center, assessor-blinded, 2-parallel-group, noninferiority, randomized controlled trial design. Eligible participants were community-dwelling adults aged 60 years or older, living with cognitive frailty, and exhibiting poor adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group in a 1:1 ratio. In the intervention group, participants received 4 weeks of center-based training (health education) followed by 8 weeks of home-based training (GAHOCON). In the control group, participants received only the 4 weeks of center-based training and 8 weeks of self-revision of health educational materials at home. During the intervention period, time spent by the participants and the levels of difficulty completed by them weekly on GAHOCON were measured as markers of feasibility. The outcomes included Mediterranean diet knowledge, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, cognitive function, physical frailty, grip strength, walking speed, memory, and body composition. Data were collected at baseline (T0) and 1 week postintervention (T1). The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to examine within-group effects for the outcome variables in each group separately.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;A total of 25 participants were recruited, with 13 allocated to the intervention group and 12 to the control group. The median cumulative minutes spent on GAHOCON training increased from 117 to 926 minutes. The median level of difficulty completed for game 1 increased from level 14 to level 20, while for game 2, it increased from level 2 to level 24. After the completion of the interventions, Mediterranean diet knowledge was retained in the intervention group but significantly decreased in the control group (r=-0.606, P=.04). Significant improvements were observed in the intervention group in Mediterranean diet adherence (r=-0.728, P=.009), cognitive function (r=-0.752, P=.007), physical frailty (r=-0.668, P=.02), and walking speed (r=-0.587, P=.03), but no such improvements were seen in the control group.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/strong&gt;GAHOCON is feasible in engaging older adults with cognitive frailty to regularly participate in the intervention. Preliminary evidence suggests that it can retain Mediterranean diet knowledge following nutritio","PeriodicalId":36224,"journal":{"name":"JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies","volume":"11 ","pages":"e60155"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11681285/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142822708","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Technology System to Help People With Intellectual Disability and Blindness Find Room Destinations During Indoor Traveling: Case Series Study.","authors":"Giulio E Lancioni, Gloria Alberti, Chiara Filippini, Nirbhay N Singh, Mark F O'Reilly, Jeff Sigafoos, Isabella Orlando, Lorenzo Desideri","doi":"10.2196/65680","DOIUrl":"10.2196/65680","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>People with severe or profound intellectual disability and visual impairment tend to have serious problems in orientation and mobility and need assistance for their indoor traveling. The use of technology solutions may be critically important to help them curb those problems and achieve a level of independence.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to assess a new technology system to help people with severe to profound intellectual disability and blindness find room destinations during indoor traveling.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 7 adults were included in the study. The technology system entailed a barcode reader, a series of barcodes marking the room entrances, a smartphone, and a special app that controlled the presentation of different messages (instructions) for the participants. The messages varied depending on whether the participants were (1) in an area between room entrances, (2) in correspondence with a room entrance to bypass, or (3) in correspondence with a room entrance representing the destination to enter. The intervention with the technology system was implemented according to a nonconcurrent multiple baseline design across participants. Sessions included 7 traveling trials, in each of which the participants were to reach and enter a specific room (1 of the 7 or 9 available) to deliver an object they had carried (transported) during their traveling.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The participants' mean frequency of traveling trials completed correctly was between zero and 2 per session during the baseline (without the system). Their mean frequency increased to between about 6 and nearly 7 per session during the intervention (with the system).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The findings suggest that the new technology system might be a useful support tool for people with severe to profound intellectual disability and blindness.</p>","PeriodicalId":36224,"journal":{"name":"JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies","volume":"11 ","pages":"e65680"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11635321/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142740799","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An Ecological Momentary Assessment and Intervention Tool for Memory in Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury: Development and Usability of Memory Ecological Momentary Intervention.","authors":"Emily L Morrow, Lyndsay A Nelson, Melissa C Duff, Lindsay S Mayberry","doi":"10.2196/59630","DOIUrl":"10.2196/59630","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Memory and learning deficits are among the most impactful and longest-lasting symptoms experienced by people with chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI). Despite the persistence of post-TBI memory deficits and their implications for community reintegration, memory rehabilitation is restricted to short-term care within structured therapy sessions. Technology shows promise to extend memory rehabilitation into daily life and to increase the number and contextual diversity of learning opportunities. Ecological momentary assessment and intervention frameworks leverage mobile phone technology to assess and support individuals' behaviors across contexts and have shown benefits in other chronic conditions. However, few studies have used regular outreach via text messaging for adults with chronic TBI, and none have done so to assess and support memory.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to develop and test the usability of memory ecological momentary intervention (MEMI), a text message-based assessment and intervention tool for memory in daily life. MEMI is designed to introduce new information, cue retrieval of the information, and assess learning across time and contexts. We tested MEMI via an iterative, user-centered design process to ready it for a future trial.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We developed MEMI by leveraging automated text messages for prompts using a REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture)/Twilio interface linking to the Gorilla web-based behavioral experimental platform. We recruited 14 adults with chronic, moderate-severe TBI from the Vanderbilt Brain Injury Patient Registry to participate in 3 rounds of usability testing: one round of ThinkAloud sessions using the platform and providing real-time feedback to an experimenter (n=4) and 2 rounds of real-world usability testing in which participants used MEMI in their daily lives for a week and provided feedback (n=5/round). We analyzed engagement and quantitative and qualitative user feedback to assess MEMI's usability and acceptability.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants were highly engaged with MEMI, completing an average of 11.8 out of 12 (98%) possible sessions. They rated MEMI as highly usable, with scores on the System Usability Scale across all rounds equivalent to an A+ on a standardized scale. In semistructured interviews, they stated that MEMI was simple and easy to use, that daily retrieval sessions were not burdensome, and that they perceived MEMI as helpful for memory. We identified a few small issues (eg, instruction wording) and made improvements between usability testing rounds.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Testing MEMI with adults with chronic TBI revealed that this technology is highly usable and favorably rated for this population. We incorporated feedback regarding users' preferences and plan to test the efficacy of this tool in a future clinical trial.</p>","PeriodicalId":36224,"journal":{"name":"JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies","volume":"11 ","pages":"e59630"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11612602/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142733222","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Navigation Training for Persons With Visual Disability Through Multisensory Assistive Technology: Mixed Methods Experimental Study.","authors":"Fabiana Sofia Ricci, Lorenzo Liguori, Eduardo Palermo, John-Ross Rizzo, Maurizio Porfiri","doi":"10.2196/55776","DOIUrl":"10.2196/55776","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Visual disability is a growing problem for many middle-aged and older adults. Conventional mobility aids, such as white canes and guide dogs, have notable limitations that have led to increasing interest in electronic travel aids (ETAs). Despite remarkable progress, current ETAs lack empirical evidence and realistic testing environments and often focus on the substitution or augmentation of a single sense.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objective: &lt;/strong&gt;This study aims to (1) establish a novel virtual reality (VR) environment to test the efficacy of ETAs in complex urban environments for a simulated visual impairment (VI) and (2) evaluate the impact of haptic and audio feedback, individually and combined, on navigation performance, movement behavior, and perception. Through this study, we aim to address gaps to advance the pragmatic development of assistive technologies (ATs) for persons with VI.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;The VR platform was designed to resemble a subway station environment with the most common challenges faced by persons with VI during navigation. This environment was used to test our multisensory, AT-integrated VR platform among 72 healthy participants performing an obstacle avoidance task while experiencing symptoms of VI. Each participant performed the task 4 times: once with haptic feedback, once with audio feedback, once with both feedback types, and once without any feedback. Data analysis encompassed metrics such as completion time, head and body orientation, and trajectory length and smoothness. To evaluate the effectiveness and interaction of the 2 feedback modalities, we conducted a 2-way repeated measures ANOVA on continuous metrics and a Scheirer-Ray-Hare test on discrete ones. We also conducted a descriptive statistical analysis of participants' answers to a questionnaire, assessing their experience and preference for feedback modalities.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;Results from our study showed that haptic feedback significantly reduced collisions (P=.05) and the variability of the pitch angle of the head (P=.02). Audio feedback improved trajectory smoothness (P=.006) and mitigated the increase in the trajectory length from haptic feedback alone (P=.04). Participants reported a high level of engagement during the experiment (52/72, 72%) and found it interesting (42/72, 58%). However, when it came to feedback preferences, less than half of the participants (29/72, 40%) favored combined feedback modalities. This indicates that a majority preferred dedicated single modalities over combined ones.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/strong&gt;AT is crucial for individuals with VI; however, it often lacks user-centered design principles. Research should prioritize consumer-oriented methodologies, testing devices in a staged manner with progression toward more realistic, ecologically valid settings to ensure safety. Our multisensory, AT-integrated VR system takes a holistic approach, offering a first ste","PeriodicalId":36224,"journal":{"name":"JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies","volume":"11 ","pages":"e55776"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11612587/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142669264","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mainstream Technologies in Facilities for People With Intellectual Disabilities: Multiple-Methods Study Using the Nonadoption, Abandonment, Scale-Up, Spread, and Sustainability Framework.","authors":"Christian Menschik, Christophe Kunze, Gregor Renner, Theresa Etges","doi":"10.2196/59360","DOIUrl":"10.2196/59360","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>People with intellectual disabilities in residential or outpatient facilities for people with disabilities run the risk of being digitally excluded by not having opportunities for taking advantage of digitalization possibilities.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>We aimed to investigate how disability caregivers and managers describe barriers and facilitating factors to implement and adopt mainstream technology for people with intellectual disabilities in residential or outpatient facilities and how the competencies and capabilities of the caregivers are assessed in the process.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>For this reason, we conducted a multiple-methods study applying the nonadoption, abandonment, scale-up, spread, and sustainability framework.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>As a result, we identified barriers and facilitators across the nonadoption, abandonment, scale-up, spread, and sustainability framework domains: (1) condition-people with intellectual disabilities are a diverse group, where the individual condition of the person and, for example, their communication skills were seen as a prerequisite for implementing mainstream technologies; (2) technology-the extent to which mainstream technology fits the individual needs and demands contributed to the implementation process; (3) value proposition-communication was seen as a life area where mainstream technology can add value; (4) adopters-the caregivers needed competencies and capabilities to accompany their care recipients' technology use; (5) organization-missing legal regulations and lack of personnel resources were described as barriers; (6) wider context-funding opportunities were seen as unclear in disability services as mainstream technologies could not be financed as participation benefits; (7) embedding and adaptation over time-the COVID-19 pandemic forced facilities to become digitalized to some extent.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The disability services investigated were still in need of standardized procedures to promote the digital participation of their residents.</p>","PeriodicalId":36224,"journal":{"name":"JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies","volume":"11 ","pages":"e59360"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11576602/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142584460","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}